Monthly Archives: August 2018

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, AUGUST 7, 2018 –In keeping with a time-honoured tradition of commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of Canadian soldiers on coins, the Royal Canadian Mint is proud to have issued the 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin – A Nation’s Mettle: The Dieppe Raid, among many other memorable keepsakes this month. Illustrated by accomplished coin designer Laurie McGaw, this outstanding collectible depicts the reflection of a contemporary veteran saluting the fallen, reflected in the water receding from the beach at Dieppe, France. The coin serves as a reminder of the many Canadian soldiers lost or captured in the fateful Second World War operation on August 19, 1942. The juxtaposition of the past and present also pays tribute to those Canadian veterans who dutifully commemorate those sacrifices every August at Dieppe, New Brunswick.

Also remembered are the dates August 8 to November 11, 1918 on the 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin – First World War Battlefront Series: Canada’s Hundred Days. Joel Kimmel’s illustration of soldiers overlooking the makeshift grave of a comrade buried amidst the rubble of a devastated town symbolizes the sacrifice of Canadians who fought costly but successful battles, from Amiens to Mons, in the last 100 days of the First World War.

On the 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin – First World War Allied Forces: France, artist Pandora Young has captured the hope and determination of French ground forces, with fellow airmen flying above, as they make their final push to victory in the closing months of the war. The selectively gold plated flaming bomb insignia of the French infantry adds a special flourish to a coin honouring the brave men who gave so much to secure an Allied victory on their home soil.

On another front, the Mint continues to re-imagine coins by creatively altering their shape. This time, it has produced its first stamp-shaped 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Canada’s Historical Stamps: Parliament Building 1927 Confederation. Faithfully replicating the bright carmine commemorative postage stamp issued in celebration of Canada’s 60th anniversary, this coin features serrated edges that mimic perforations. Another unique collectible is the ovoid-shaped 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Four Seasons of the Maple Leaf where artist Margaret Best has illustrated the iconic maple leaf, in rich colour and selective gold plating, as it emerges and transforms through each season.

Other great collectibles available in store this month include:

The 2018 Fine Silver Colourised Coin Set – Classic Canadian Coins, the Mint’s first set of exquisitely coloured silver reproductions of Canada’s traditional circulation designs, which includes a pure silver medallion of the Mint’s Ottawa and Winnipeg facilities in commemoration of its 110th anniversary;

The 2018 $100 Fine Silver Coin – Portrait of a Princess, is an elegant reproduction of Yousuf Karsh’s famous 1951 photo of a young Princess Elizabeth, on a stunning 10 oz. pure silver coin;

The 2019 $2,500 Pure Gold Coin – Year of the Pig, a one kilo, scalloped-shaped coin designed by Three Degrees Creative and the 2019 $150 Gold Coin – Year of the Pig designed by Aries Cheung, both celebrating the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year;

The 2018 $100 Fine Silver Coin – The Bronze Age of DC Comics, an impressive 10 oz., shield-shaped coin featuring the 1970’s and 1980’s incarnations of the super heroes of the Justice League, illustrated in full colour by Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson;

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the “Shop” tab of www.mint.ca. Coin images can be viewed here.

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada,
1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001 certified corporation, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.

Ottawa, Ontario, July 4, 2018 – The Royal Canadian Mint has released two finely crafted tributes to unforgettable chapters in our military history. The 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin First World War Allied Forces: Newfoundland honours the future province’s brave contribution to the Allied victory, which helped end hostilities on November 11, 1918. Artist Pandora Young has dramatically illustrated soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the heat of battle, whose acts of courage in famed battles such as Beaumont Hamel and The Somme continue to amaze and inspire.

On the $20 Fine Silver Coin Second World War Battlefront Series – The Invasion of Sicily, artist Valentine De Landro has portrayed a Canadian dispatch rider speeding on a motorcycle as the July 1943 Operation Husky brought Canadian troops ashore at the Sicilian town of Pachino. Both these coins, as well as a diverse selection of exceptional keepsakes are now available for purchase.

The Mint has also fashioned a new “Filigree Gate Technology” coin to mark one of its own milestones on the 2018 $30 Fine Silver Coin – 110th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mint. This impressive 2 oz. coin proudly displays the castle-like façade of the Mint’s Ottawa facility behind a replica the black wrought iron gate which surrounds it. In operation since 1908, this facility mainly houses bullion and numismatics coin production and was the source of this exceptional keepsake.

Other fine collectibles available this month include:

The 2018 $25 Fine Silver Coin – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: The Young Princess, the Mint’s first coin to be struck with a “repoussé” inspired technique to reproduce the artwork of Bonnie Ross in exceptionally high relief;

The 2018 Fine Silver 14-Coin Set – Heraldic Emblems of Canada, featuring Canada’s Coat of Arms, as well as those of all our provinces and territories, each colourfully reproduced on their own coin;

The 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin – Canadian Flag, on which artist Tony Bianco arranged micro-sized English and French lyrics of our national anthem in red to re-create the pattern of our national flag;

The 2018 $200 Pure Gold Coin – 30th Anniversary of the Platinum Maple Leaf (PML), featuring the iconic maple leaf design of the PML and Her Majesty’s effigy in platinum plating, a first for a Mint gold coin;

The 2018 $3 Fine Silver Coins – Canadian Coasts (Atlantic Coves and Pacific Sunset), square-shaped coins designed by artist Maurade Baynton which capture the signature imagery of our eastern and western shores;

The 2018 $50 Fine Silver Coin – Nature’s Light Show: Stormy Night, the first in a new series of 5 oz. concave coloured coins incorporating a glow in the dark effect which brings to life Derek Wicks’ illustration of fox cubs huddled in their den while the clash of lightning dances in the night sky;

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the “Shop” tab of www.mint.ca. Coin images can be viewed here.

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online atwww.mint.ca. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001 certified corporation, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, August 16, 2016 – In recognition of Newfoundland’s great First World War sacrifice, the Royal Canadian Mint held an event at Canadian Forces Station St. John’s to officially present the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Newfoundland and Labrador Command of the Royal Canadian Legion with framed silver coins commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel. This collector coin will also be featured at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Visitors Centre in France.

“Every July 1st, Canadians celebrate the founding of their country and the democratic values for which it stands, but it is also a time to remember that on that day in 1916, the brave men of the Newfoundland Regiment fought and gave their lives for the same ideals at the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel,” said Seamus O’Regan, Member of Parliament for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl. “Beaumont-Hamel is a name that represents courage, sacrifice, and sorrow and the Government of Canada is proud that the Royal Canadian Mint has created a permanent reminder of this unforgettable chapter in the First World War and in the building of our nation through a beautiful silver collector coin.”

“The Mint has a long history of honouring Canada’s veterans and their sacrifices through coins which share their incredible, inspiring stories with Canadians from coast to coast to coast and collectors around the world,” said Sandra Hanington, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “As Canada marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, the Mint is proud that we can play a role in honouring the memory of the men of the Newfoundland Regiment by crafting this very special coin.”

“We are proud to accept this special commemorative coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint to honour the service and sacrifice of Newfoundland’s native sons on the battlefield near Beaumont-Hamel, France,” said Frank Sullivan, President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Newfoundland and Labrador Command. “It is through initiatives like these that our heroes are remembered and kept in the public eye in recognition of their bravery for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Canadian artist Silvia Pecota designed the 99.99% pure silver coin which poignantly captures the bravery and tragedy of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel where the soldiers of the Newfoundland Regiment participated in the first ground attack of the Somme Offensive on July 1, 1916. Only 30 minutes into this assault, all but 68 of the 801-man regiment were cut down by enemy fire.

The reverse design of the coin shows a young soldier courageously advancing toward enemy lines across the battle-scarred terrain of No Man’s Land. The intensity of the artillery and machine gun fire that awaited the Newfoundlanders is evident throughout this intricately engraved scene that includes a background engraving of the gnarled “Danger Tree”, where they faced the most intense fire. Selective gold plating showcases the winged figure of “Victory” as it appeared on the Victory Medal, which was awarded to the allied soldiers of the First World War. The obverse of the coin features the gold-plated effigy of King George V, the reigning monarch during the First World War, who also granted the “Royal” designation to the Newfoundland Regiment in late 1917, in recognition of its battlefield achievements.

The 2016 $20 Fine Silver Coin – First World War Battlefront Series: The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel has a limited mintage of 10,000 and retails for $109.95. It has been available for purchase since June 7, 2016 by contacting the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. The coin is also available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through the Mint’s global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca

As another school year begins, I am reminded of how important the TEACH piece of our mission is for the future of this great country. All too often as parents, we rely too heavily on educators to teach our children about the meaning (and cost) of our freedoms as Americans. In truth, it is all of our responsibilities to show the younger generation through patriotism, love of country and community involvement and service.

At Wreaths Across America we are committed to teaching younger generations about the value of their freedoms and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect them. Our convoy to Arlington stops at many schools along the way. We offer learning tools and opportunities for schools, scouts and other youth groups to participate in our efforts. But most important, we share the names and stories of those who have served and sacrificed for all of us so that their memory lives on.

As Americans it is our duty to ensure the next generation stays connected to our past so that the future can be preserved, and defended.

No need to pack a bag for this convoy! The Virtual Convoy hits the road on September 26 live on social media! Tune in on Facebook, Instagram, TwitterorYouTube.
Participate from the comfort of home and make an impact. With every $15 wreath sponsorship received, a wreath will be placed for an American hero and $5 will be given back to the WAA Transportation Fundto help defer delivery cost across the country.

Throughout our lifetimes we all take journeys to various destinations. Life is what you make of it, getting to that journey’s destination. Many journeys will require you to wait in a line at one time or another. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Wayne Hanson shares his story of an on-going 25 year-long journey with Wreaths Across America helping to spread its mission to Remember the Fallen, Honor those who Serve and Teach our children the Value of Freedom, and the individuals he has been honored to meet while waiting on line in Arlington.Read more here.

A majority of the transportation needed to deliver veterans’ wreaths across the country comes as in-kind donations made by hundreds of trucking companies, professional drivers, independent contractors, intermodal and logistics companies who dedicate their time, equipment and resources to help move the mission.

Not so quiet

In the August-September issue of Canada’s Historymagazine, former Ontario premier Bob Rae reviews Unbuttoned: A History of Mackenzie King’s Secret Life, by Christopher Dummitt. Rae notes that prime minister “William Lyon Mackenzie King never intended that his daily log would become a public document,” but it was nonetheless saved by the executors of his will. Regarding Unbuttoned, Rae says, “Dummitt has written a fascinating book on the Mackenzie King diaries, and in doing so he has also provided much insight into King and the history of his reputation.”

In the same issue, history professor Graham Broad reviews Embattled Nation: Canada’s Wartome Election of 1917, by Patrice Dutil and David MacKenzie. Broad writes that the authors “take pains to situate the political failings of Prime Minister Robert Borden and aging Opposition leader Wilfrid Laurier in the context of the era’s complex questions of language, national identity, and war.”

Meanwhile, award-winning author Ryan O’Connor tells about Freethinker: The Life and Works of Éva Circé-Côté, by Andrée Lévesque. O’Connor says the book originally published in French in 2010 is important in part because, besides being a librarian, poet, and journalist, Circé-Côté was one of the overshadowed intellectual predecessors to Quebec’s Quiet Revolution. “She was deeply concerned about the survival of her people’s language and culture, but this did not make her a separatist,” because, O’Connor writes, “she feared an even greater concentration of power in the hands of the clergy should Quebec leave Canada.”

You can read our reviews both in the Canada’s Historymagazine and on our CanadasHistory.ca website.

Down time

Also in the August-September issue, we speak with military historian Tim Cook, author of The Secret History of Soldiers: How Canadians Survived the Great War. Cook says his new book looks at how soldiers spent their free time while coping with the difficulties of the First World War. “The use of culture as a shield, the creation of a unique soldier society to cope and endure, is not part of the official record,” Cook said. You can read a longer version of the interview on our CanadasHistory.ca website.

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By Alec Connor, Co-op student with the Guard –

The Royal Canadian Mint has issued a new commemorative coin highlighting Newfoundland’s extraordinary contribution to final victory in the First World War. The coin, with a face value of 20 dollars, features the men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment going “over the top” in battle on the obverse, with HM King George V on the reverse, rendered in silver and gold by artist Pandora Young.

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment may be best known for their sacrifice during the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, a part of the first day of the Somme Campaign. On that day, British and Commonwealth Forces suffered over sixty thousand casualties, of which twenty thousand were killed or missing in action. At the village of Beaumont-Hamel, the Newfoundland Regiment suffered catastrophic losses during an early morning attack, with all the officers and nearly all of the men of the Regiment becoming casualties. July 1st of every year, in addition to being Canada Day, is commemorated in Newfoundland as Memorial Day in honour of the battle. Newfoundlanders served honourably not only in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, but also in the Royal Navy, Royal Flying Corps, and the Merchant Marine throughout the war.

Far from being confined to Newfoundland, commemorations of the battle occur across Canada, and especially in the National Capital Region. Units in the NCR hold an annual commemorative parade on July 1st, featuring stirring music from the Atlantic Voices choir and a solemn moment of silence. Newfoundlanders throughout the Defence Team in the NCR often make a point to attend and remember. Brigadier-General Richard Goodyear, former Commandant of CFSU(O) and himself a Newfoundlander laid a commemorative wreath at this year’s ceremonies.

75th Anniversary of D-DayJune 6, 2019 at 6:00 pm – 7:30 pmMarines' Memorial Club & Hotel, 609 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USAOn 6 June 1944, 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces launched one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history along a 50-mile stretch of the coast of Normandy, France. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the end of WWII in Europe, Brigadier (Retd.) Roderick Macdonald MBE and Dr. Seth Givens will…